Largest Universities in Canada
Largest Universities in Canada

Canada does not produce “mega-universities” in the same way the United States does. Instead of sprawling systems with extreme on-campus density, Canadian university size is shaped by provincial funding models, balanced undergraduate and graduate enrollment, and moderate but integrated online learning within traditional institutions.

This ranking identifies the largest universities in Canada by total enrollment, counting full-time and part-time students, undergraduate and graduate, on-campus and online, using the most recent nationally comparable data available for 2025–2026 planning.

Read more:

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- Top 9 Best Colleges/Universities In Canada For International Students

1) University of Toronto

  • Total enrollment: ~102,990 students

  • Founded: 1827

  • Location: Toronto, Ontario

  • Address: 27 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON

  • Website: https://www.utoronto.ca

  • Tuition baseline (Arts & Humanities):

    • Domestic: ~$6,100–$7,250

    • International: ~$63,500

Why it ranks #1:
The University of Toronto is Canada’s largest university by a significant margin. Its scale comes from three major campuses (St. George, Scarborough, Mississauga) and one of the largest graduate student populations in North America.

Student experience & review:
Academically elite and globally competitive, with enormous program choice. However, size means students must be proactive to find smaller academic communities and faculty mentorship.

2) University of British Columbia

  • Total enrollment: ~73,636 students

  • Founded: 1908

  • Location: Vancouver & Kelowna, British Columbia

  • Address: 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, BC

  • Website: https://www.ubc.ca

  • Tuition baseline:

    • Domestic: ~$6,100

    • International: ~$45,000–$50,000

Why it ranks #2:
UBC combines two major campuses with strong international and graduate enrollment, making it Canada’s second-largest university.

Student experience & review:
Known for one of the most beautiful campuses in the world, strong global diversity, and high academic expectations. Housing competition is a recurring challenge.

3) York University

  • Total enrollment: ~53,903 students

  • Founded: 1959

  • Location: Toronto, Ontario

  • Address: 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON

  • Website: https://www.yorku.ca

  • Tuition baseline:

    • Domestic: ~$6,100–$6,700

    • International: ~$37,000

Why it ranks #3:
York’s size is driven by a very large undergraduate population and a substantial part-time student base.

Student experience & review:
Strong in arts, social sciences, law, and business. As a large urban institution, administrative complexity can be a downside.

4) Université Laval

  • Total enrollment: ~48,538 students

  • Founded: 1663

  • Location: Québec City, Québec

  • Address: 2325 rue de l’Université, Québec, QC

  • Website: https://www.ulaval.ca

  • Tuition baseline:

    • Domestic: ~$3,000–$9,400

    • International: ~$26,000

Why it ranks #4:
One of the largest French-language universities in the world, with strong full-time and part-time enrollment.

Student experience & review:
Highly cohesive campus community. French proficiency is essential for full academic and social integration.

5) University of Alberta

  • Total enrollment: ~46,350 students

  • Founded: 1908

  • Location: Edmonton, Alberta

  • Address: 116 Street & 85 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB

  • Website: https://www.ualberta.ca

  • Tuition baseline:

    • Domestic: ~$7,150

    • International: ~$35,600

Why it ranks #5:
A flagship research university with large graduate, professional, and health sciences programs.

Student experience & review:
Strong academic reputation and traditional campus feel. Climate can be a factor for international students.

6) Western University

  • Total enrollment: ~45,080 students

  • Founded: 1878

  • Location: London, Ontario

  • Address: 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON

  • Website: https://www.uwo.ca

  • Tuition baseline:

    • Domestic: ~$6,000–$7,300

    • International: ~$44,000

Why it ranks #6:
Western’s scale comes from strong on-campus undergraduate enrollment and professional programs.

Student experience & review:
One of the most “U.S.-style” campus experiences in Canada, with strong school spirit and student life.

7) University of Ottawa

  • Total enrollment: ~44,958 students

  • Founded: 1848

  • Location: Ottawa, Ontario

  • Address: 75 Laurier Avenue East, Ottawa, ON

  • Website: https://www.uottawa.ca

  • Tuition baseline:

    • Domestic: ~$6,000–$7,000

    • International: ~$43,000

Why it ranks #7:
Large bilingual enrollment and strong graduate programs in law, public policy, and international affairs.

Student experience & review:
Excellent access to government internships and bilingual education opportunities.

8) Toronto Metropolitan University

  • Total enrollment: ~44,400 students

  • Founded: 1948

  • Location: Toronto, Ontario

  • Address: 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON

  • Website: https://www.torontomu.ca

  • Tuition baseline:

    • Domestic: ~$6,100–$7,600

    • International: ~$34,800

Why it ranks #8:
A highly urban, career-oriented institution with strong industry alignment.

Student experience & review:
Integrated into downtown Toronto. Less traditional campus life, more professional networking.

9) University of Waterloo

  • Total enrollment: ~40,859 students

  • Founded: 1957

  • Location: Waterloo, Ontario

  • Address: 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON

  • Website: https://uwaterloo.ca

  • Tuition baseline:

    • Domestic: ~$6,100–$8,700

    • International: ~$49,000–$55,000

Why it ranks #9:
Enrollment is driven by strong demand for STEM and its globally recognized co-op system.

Student experience & review:
High academic intensity and excellent ROI, though campus rhythm is shaped by co-op schedules.

10) University of Calgary

  • Total enrollment: ~38,113 students

  • Founded: 1966

  • Location: Calgary, Alberta

  • Address: 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB

  • Website: https://www.ucalgary.ca

  • Tuition baseline:

    • Domestic: ~$7,200

    • International: ~$29,600

Why it ranks #10:

A major Western Canadian university with strong professional and research programs.

Student experience & review:

Supportive campus culture and strong links to engineering, business, and energy sectors.

Canada vs. USA vs. UK: How “University Size” Differs

  • Canada emphasizes balanced enrollment rather than extreme campus density

  • No single online-only giant dominates totals (unlike the UK’s Open University)

  • Growth is constrained by provincial funding and tuition regulation

  • Scale often reflects graduate + part-time mix, not just undergraduates